With only four ingredients in this DIY foot soak, it's a simple, self-care solution for calloused feet. Learn how to make a DIY foot soak recipe for cracked feet that contains healing herbs. Use these natural ingredients (in combination with this (homemade peppermint foot lotion) and help ease sore and calloused feet.
As mamas, we’re constantly on our feet chasing littles. And yet our feet are often ignored when it comes to self-care.
From workouts to regular #momlife our tired feet also end up sore and dry. This DIY foot soak helps alleviate those symptoms and leave your feet feeling a little more refreshed.
As a busy mom of *soon-to-be* three, my own feet never stop moving!
And while I do take the time to roll out my feet using a lacrosse ball or foam roller (learn more about foam rolling here), they could definitely use a bit more attention!
Foot soaks make an easy way to give them some attention.
The Benefits Of The Homemade Foot Soak
- only four ingredients
- simple to whip up
- calming and soothing for inflammation
- helps reduce soreness
Soaking your feet just once a week in a homemade foot bath with Epsom salt can not only force you to take a step back from rushing around and rock a little self-care, but it also keeps your feet feeling a little nicer while you run around!
Ingredients You Need
Epsom salt: We go through a lot of Epsom salt in our house because it’s long been whispered about for being a great detox salt. Personally, I use Epsom salt in my baths after a grueling workout because I find it helps immensely with muscle soreness (so does this homemade muscle rub!).
So, it only makes sense to make it the base of this easy DIY foot soak recipe.
Baking soda: I like to use baking soda because it’s an odor remover! No one likes to talk about stinky feet but let’s be honest: sweating in socks all day doesn’t exactly leave them smelling fresh 😛
And if you’re a runner, multiply that. Baking soda helps control stink and fungus so it’s a good add-in.
Plus, almost everyone has some in their fridge so that makes it easy.
Fresh herbs: I went with dried lavender and chamomile because:
- they're calming
- they reduce inflammation/red spots
- they help heat; helps on cuts.
They're the two main herbs in my DIY diaper wipe spray for this exact reason- you can even learn about lavender meaning and why it's used!
Plus, the scents are super calming which is nice when you’re trying to detach for a bit.
The herbs in this DIY foot soak are definitely optional and interchangeable.
Can I Use Essential Oils In Pace Of Herbs?
The short answer is: yes! If it's easier to use essential oils go for it.
However, because there is no carrier oil in this DIY foot soak recipe I would suggest adding a teaspoon to the recipe. Carrier oils are what bind the essential oils so that they can do their job.
It can be dangerous just adding in oils to water and soaking in them so always use a carrier (here is how to choose carriers and next steps to take).
When it comes to the number of drops of essential oils to add to the DIY foot soak, it's a lot of preference. A general rule of thumb is using a %2.5 dilution rate. This comes out to 2.5 drops of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil.
However, I always urge people to do their research and use what they think is best.
How To Use The Foot Soak For Callused Feet
Use this foot soak to help heal cracked feet, reduce soreness and overall show your feet some love.
While you can easily just dump the ingredients into a tub of water for your feet, you can save yourself come clean up by using... cheesecloth!
If you use the dried herbs for the DIY foot soak, pour the soak into a cheesecloth and tie the ends.
This makes it so there’s no dried lavender and chamomile all over your bathtub when you’re done <-- this drives me nuts.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foot Soaks
The best foot soak recipe uses a base of Epsom salt and a combination of ingredients like baking soda, oil, apple cider vinegar and either fresh herbs or essential oils to help soothe dry feet.
A combination of Epsom salt and vinegar (apple cider vinegar is commonly used) will help soften the skin so that you are able to use a pumice stone to remove the dried skin.
Other DIY Beauty Recipes You'll Enjoy
- DIY tinted lip balm
- DIY shower steamers
- How to make homemade bath bombs (everything you need to know)
- Easy homemade lotion (non-greasy!)
Relaxing DIY Foot Soak (without essential oils)
Equipment
- small mason jars
Ingredients
- ¾ cups Epsom salts
- ¼ cup baking soda
- ⅛ cup dried lavender
- ⅛ cup dried chamomile
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the ingredients and mix.
- Portion into one large jar or two.
- To use: pour contents of the jar into a medium-large bath. Let salts dissolve and soak for ten to fifteen minutes so soften feet (can soak longer).
- From there, you can go straight to drying them with lotion or use a stone to remove more dry skin.
Video
Notes
- Makes one large bath or two small buckets worth of soak. Essential oils can be subbed in for the dried herbs.
- This is where you can grab a few of my favorite DIY ingredients.
- Do not sub the Epsom salt with regular salt, it just doesn't work as well.
- Even in addition to the dried herbs you can add essential oil if you like!
As moms, our feet take quite a beating when you’re running around all day. Foot soals are a great way to help soothe, heal, and refresh your feet!
Not only does this homemade foot soak smell great but it’s also insanely easy to make- always a win for a busy mama!
Carol Little R.H. @studiobotanica says
Trying to leave you 5 stars and it doesn't work!
I love this recipe. I've made it for years! It was a best seller at my shop.
It's easy and people love it.
Such important self-care. Foot soaks are fabulous!! (that was my motto about these special soaks!)
Thanks for sharing!!
fitasamamabear says
Yesss!! Foat soaks make everything better- and they're so freaking simple! Pair it with a lotion and it's foot heaven haha I emailed my techie about the starts- thanks for the heads up!!